Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot condition, heart condition characterized by a heart murmur, hypertension, and chronic musculoskeletal disease to include swollen joint disease. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability related to active service or an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected coronary artery disease is denied. The criteria for entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 30 percent from January 25, 2012 to February 12, 2012 and a compensable rating from June 1, 2012 have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents in service, specifically during his time at Nam Phong, Thailand. As a result, the Veteran is granted service connection for coronary artery disease based on presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease (CAD) has not met the criteria for a higher rating, as his left ventricular ejection fraction is at least 55% and he does not have more than one episode of acute congestive heart failure in the past year or a workload greater than three METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope.

The Veteran's claims for heart disease and PTSD were dismissed due to his death during the appeal process.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including her right ankle injury, bilateral foot and knee conditions, heart condition, hypertension, and sleep apnea. The decision also notes that additional evidence is needed for these cases.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease or coronary artery disease due to exposure to chemicals and toxins. The case is remanded for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's CAD began during active service, is related to an incident of service, or began within one year after discharge from active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, including as due to herbicide exposure during his time in Thailand, is being remanded. The Board notes the need for additional evidence regarding herbicide exposure and directs further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to the need for clarification on whether the Veteran's neurobehavioral effects, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, heart disability, and vascular disorder are related to his service at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease, in the form of coronary artery disease, is granted as service connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for brain disability, seizures, heart disability, and throat cancer. The decision found no current diagnoses or in-service occurrences that would support these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicides, including for diabetes mellitus, ulcers, ischemic heart disease, and male hypogonadism. The AOJ is required to verify the Veteran’s claimed exposure at McClellan Air Force Base from April 1970 to April 1972.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease was granted with a 100% disability evaluation effective April 28, 2017. The Board denied an earlier effective date as the Veteran did not file his claim for CAD until after one year from his separation from active duty.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus type II and ischemic heart disease have been granted. The claim for bilateral peripheral neuropathy is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for arteriosclerotic heart disease (CAD) and coronary artery disease was denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,Service connection for hypertension due to herbicide agent exposure was granted based on the presumption applicable to Vietnam veterans.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for heart disability, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, skin rash, and rectal carcinoid tumor due to new and material evidence. However, it denied these claims as there is no credible evidence of herbicide exposure during military service in Thailand.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for ischemic heart disease, peripheral artery disease and neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities due to herbicide exposure as secondary to service-connected ischemic heart disease. Additional development is needed including VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and potential updated examinations.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his claims for type 2 diabetes mellitus and a heart condition is being remanded due to the need for additional service and private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal for higher evaluations of his service-connected conditions, including coronary artery disease with unstable angina and diabetes mellitus, type II, is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.